CVE-2022-3949 in Simple Cashiering System
Summary
by MITRE • 11/11/2022
A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, has been found in Sourcecodester Simple Cashiering System. This issue affects some unknown processing of the component User Account Handler. The manipulation of the argument fullname leads to cross site scripting. The attack may be initiated remotely. The associated identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-213455.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/17/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-3949 resides within the Sourcecodester Simple Cashiering System, representing a significant security weakness that falls under the category of cross-site scripting attacks. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and sanitization in web applications, particularly those handling user account management functions. The issue specifically manifests within the User Account Handler component, which processes user-related data and operations. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it allows remote exploitation, meaning malicious actors can initiate the attack without requiring physical access to the target system. The vulnerability is triggered through manipulation of the fullname argument, which suggests that the application fails to properly sanitize user input before processing or displaying it within web pages. This particular flaw aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities where improper validation or sanitization of input allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as cross-site scripting attacks can enable session hijacking, credential theft, and the execution of unauthorized actions on behalf of legitimate users. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability through the fullname parameter, they can inject malicious JavaScript code that executes in the context of other users' browsers. This creates a persistent threat that can compromise user sessions, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to malicious websites. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can target users from anywhere on the internet, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for web-based applications that serve a wide user base. The vulnerability's classification as problematic indicates that it represents a substantial risk to the application's security posture and user data protection mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-3949 must focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's codebase, particularly within the User Account Handler component. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user-provided input, including the fullname parameter, before processing or displaying it in web contexts. This implementation should follow established security practices such as the OWASP Input Validation and Output Encoding guidelines, which recommend the use of context-specific encoding for different output contexts including HTML, JavaScript, and URL parameters. Additionally, implementing proper content security policies can provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. Security measures should also include regular code reviews focusing on input handling, automated vulnerability scanning, and comprehensive testing of user account management functions. The remediation process requires developers to ensure that all user input is properly validated against expected formats and that output is encoded appropriately for the context in which it will be displayed, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1203 which covers web shell execution through script injection vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring systems to detect and prevent exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability.